Learning Lots at PrairieView

Hey guys! I’m Kirstyn and I’m a student at PrairieView, obviously. Life at PrairieView is stressful, to say the least. There are always new assignments being thrown at us that require a lot of work and time, but it keeps us busy which is a good way to be. I have learned so much from when I started, and it’s only been about three months. I can’t wait to see where I am when I graduate!

These are some of my images from before school started. I am not proud of them at all, but I feel like you should see them so you can understand just how much I have learned in the past few months. If I had three wishes from a genie in a lamp I would wish for an extra hour in every day, new camera gear, and the opportunity to go back and retake every single image I have with the knowledge I now know. Because with all those things combined, I believe I would have some really stunning photographs!


Now we get to take a look at some of my more recent photos.

These are all photos that I've taken after school started in September, and personally I can see a huge change in the quality of the images. I now know more about the technical and creative components of photography so my images are a lot more interesting to look at now. My skills, both in camera and while editing my photos, are thousands of times better than they were before September. I know how to use light, aperture, shutter speed, etc. all together to make for a more interesting final image. I have learned a lot of editing skills so now after I'm finished on the computer my pictures look better rather than worse! Which is always a good thing.

One of the most important things I have learned so far is to shoot lots! The more you shoot the closer you get to the final image that you have in your head, because you change little things about the composition or the technical techniques you are using. It's always exciting for me when I'm finished with a shoot and my final images are close or the same to the ones I had in my head before I even picked up my camera.

All of the instructors at PrairieView are super friendly and always willing to help out a student in need. They teach in a way that makes learning fun. Or maybe it's just that we're learning about photography which is always fun, who knows! Either way, I wouldn't be where I am right now without them, so thank you very much. I am looking forward to learning even more ane becoming an even better photographer. Like I said earlier, I can't wait to see where I am at graduation. I am sure by then my after photos now will be my before photos, and that can't come soon enough for me!

Kirstyn Rathert

PV Diploma Student

2011-12